Curtain dryer attachment



July 23, 1957 A. HANSEN CURTAIN DRYER ATTACHMENT 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 11, 1955 Hansen ooucoobboo 0000000 on 000 00 mm ww A lber/ 00Ou0o0o0000000000000 oooaoooo qoooeoccocooo INIENTOR. Min.

BY EM? July 23, 1957 A. HANSEN CURTAIN DRYER ATTACHMENT 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 11, 1955 m R. m N M .M 8E M mm a 3 v \E H W i am ME A a w mm 9mm m vn A T w United States 2,799,966- Patented July 23, 1957 fice CURTAIN DRYER ATTACHMENT Albert Hansen, Menominee, Mich.

Application October 11, 1955, Serial No. 539,733

3 Claims. (Cl. 45-24) This invention relates in general to new and useful improvements in laundering devices, and more specifically to an improved curtain dryer attachment.

This invention is an improvement on my Patent No. 2,076,777, granted April 13, 1937, and relates to means for more evenly stretching curtains.

In the stretching of curtains during the drying thereof utilizing a curtain dryer, such as the curtain dryer of my Patent 2,076,777, there is passed through the hem of the curtain rods which are adjustably carried by rack bars. However, these rods, because of the relatively small size of the hems, are relatively light and bend in their centers when the curtain is tightly stretched. This results in the centers of the curtains being stretched less than the ends thereof and the improper hanging of the curtains once they have been dried.

It is therefore the primary object of this invention to provide a curtain dryer which includes means for preventing the rods received in the hems of curtains from bending in order that the rods, when the curtains have been stretched therebetween, are straight so as to evenly stretch all portions of curtains.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved curtain dryer which includes means for initially bowing rods received in hems of curtains, the means being carried by the frame of the curtain dryer and being adjustable whereby the amount of bowing of the rods may be predetermined.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved curtain dryer attachment in the form of straps carried by the frame of the curtain dryer and engageable with free ends of rods received in hems of curtains to initially bow the rods, the rods being adjustable and being engaged by the straps in all positions to apply the proper bowing tension thereto.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of my curtain dryer including the rod bowing means and shows a curtain being stretched thereon with the rods being retained straight between rack bars of the curtain dryer by both the eflorts of the rod bowing means and the curtain being stretched therebetween;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 22 of Figure 1 and shows further the relationship of the strap with respect to the rod;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 3-3 of Figure l and shows further the details of the strap;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view on an enlarged scale taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 4-4 of Figure 1 and shows the manner in which a lower rack bar is adjustably carried by vertical frame members of the frame;

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 5-5 of Figure 1 and shows the connection between the adjustable rack bar and a vertical frame member at the opposite end of the frame; and

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional View taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 66 of Figure 1 and shows the details ofthe construction of frame at the top thereof.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that there is illustrated a curtain dryer which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 10. The curtain dryer 10 includes a rectangular base 12 which is supported at the corners thereof by casters 14. Extending upwardly from one end of the frame 12 is a pair of converging vertical frame members 16. Each vertical frame member 16 includes a transverse flange 18 and a longitudinal flange 20. The longitudinal flanges 20 are cut away, as is best illustrated in Figure 2, at the upper ends thereof to provide for the convergence of the frame members 16. Further, the longitudinal flanges 20 extend above the upper ends of the transverse flanges 18 and are disposed in spaced parallel relation, as is best illustrated in Figure 6. Disposed between the upper ends of the longitudinal flanges 20 is a spacer 22 carried by a bolt 24. The bolt 24 has also carried thereby upper rack bars which are referred to in general by reference numeral 26. The bolt 24 secures together the upper ends of the vertical frame members 16, the spacer 22 and the upper rack bars 26.

Disposed at the opposite end of the base 12 are vertical frame members which are referred to in general by the reference numeral 28. The vertical frame members 28 have their upper ends connected together in the same manner as that illustrated and described with respect to the frame members 16 and also serve to support the rack bars 26, the rack bars 26 being fixed.

The fixed rack bars 26 are supported intermediate the ends thereof by intermediate vertical frame members 30, which, as is best illustrated in Figure 3, are channel-shaped in cross-section. The lower ends of the intermediate vertical frame members 30 are connected together by a brace 32.

Referring now to Figure 5 in particular, it will be seen that each vertical frame member 28 includes a transverse flange 34 and a longitudinal flange 36. The flanges 36 correspond to the flanges 20 of the vertical frame members 16. However, they are disposed inwardly of the flanges 20.

Adjustably carried by the vertical frame members 16 and 28 are movable rack bars 38, there being one rack bar 38 on each side of the dryer 10. Each rack bar 38 includes a generally vertical flange 40 and a generally horizontal flange 42. One end of the flange 40 is bent to form a guide 44 which is received over an associated one of the flanges 20. Each flange 20 is provided with a plurality of vertically spaced apertures 46 which adjustably receive a pin 48 carried by the vertical flange 40 to adjustably position the rack bar 38. The opposite end of the flange 40, as is best illustrated in Figure 5, presents a U-shape, as at 46, and includes an inner flange 50 and 52. Carried by the inner part of the flange 49 is a spacer 54 which cooperates with the flange 52 to form a guideway receiving the flange 36. The flange 36 is provided with a plurality of vertically spaced apertures 56 in which there is adjustably received a locking pin 58.

Referring now to Figures 1 and 6 in particular, it will be seen that each of the fixed rack bars 26 includes a generally vertical flange 6t) and a horizontal flange 62, the horizontal flange 62 being disposed uppermost.

.7 u Formed in the flange 62 is a plurality of outwardly opening notches 64. Similar notches 66 are formed in the flange 42. Adjustably carried by the rack bars 26 and 35 are rods 68 and 7d,.the two rods being identical. Each of the rods 68 and 76 is'providedat its upper end with a hook portion 72 to retain it relative to the upper rack bars 26. The rods 68 and 70 are selectively received in the notches 62and 64 and retained in adjusted position.

In the stretching of a curtain, such as the curtain 74, the rods 70 and 72 are passed through the horns 76 and 7d of the curtain. The rod 68 is first positioned, and then, the rod 70 is pulled away from the rod 63 to stretch the curtain 74-. When the curtain 74phas been stretched to the desired extent, the rod 76 is disposed in the notches which the curtain 74 tends to bend them. This is accomplished by providing straps 89. One end of each strap 80 is secured to a respective one of the vertical frame members 16 and 28, and the opposite end is secured to a respective one of the intermediate frame members 3%. Suitable fasteners, such as rivets 82 or other fastening means, may be utilized. The straps 84 are of such a length'so as to be easily connected to the rods 63 and '72;

in all positions thereof. Each of the straps 3%, as is best illustrated in Figures 2 and 4, is provided with a plurality of spaced apertures 84 which extend along the length thereof. The apertures 84 are of a size to snugly receive the lower ends of the rods 68 and iii.

In the operation of the present invention, the curtain 74 is installed on the two rods 68 and 70. The rod 68 is then positioned and is initially bowed utilizing the associated one of the straps 80. Then, the rod 7% is positioned in a curtain tensioning position. The lower end of the rod 70 is then engaged with its respective strap 80 and bowed a sufficient amount to make the intermediate portion thereof straight. The tension placed upon the curtain 74 will then bend the rod 68 back to its normal straight position. 7

The curtain dryer 10 will also include removable plates 86 carrying a plurality of curtain engaging pins 88. The plates 86 are retained in place by fasteners 88 and are mounted on the vertical frame members 23 and the rack bars 26 and 3S.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A curtain dryer comprising a supporting frame, rack bars carried by said frame in spaced relation, rods for engagement in ends of a curtain to be stretched, said rods being carried by rack bars, and a tension member for each rod carried by said frame for initially bowing said rods intermediate said rack bars whereby when a curtain is stretched between said rods, said rods assume straight positions to evenly stretch a curtain, at least one of said rods being adjustably positioned along the length of said rack bars, one of said tension members having an adjustable connection with said one rod to compensate for movement of said one rod.

' 2. A curtain dryer comprising a supporting frame, rack bars carried by said frame in spaced relation, rods for engagement in ends of a curtain to be stretched, said rods being carried by rack bars, said rods having free ends remote from said rack bars, and a tension member for each rod carried by said frame engaging said free end and initially bowing said rods intermediate said rack bars whereby when a curtain is stretched between said rods, said rods assume straight positions to evenly stretch a curtain.

3. A curtain dryer comprising a supporting frame, rack bars carried by said frame in spaced relation, rods for engagement in ends of a curtain to be stretched, said rods being carried by rack bars, said rods having free ends remote from said rack bars, and a tension strap for each rod carried by said frame engaging said free end and initially bowing said rods intermediate said rack bars whereby when a curtain is stretched between said rods, said rods assume straight positions to evenly stretch a curtain, said straps each being anchored to said frame and having spaced rod receiving openings along the length thereof.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNETED STATES PATENTS 2,076,777 Hansen Apr. 13, 1951 

